Live streaming today is more than just broadcasting — it’s about building a connection with your audience. One of the best ways to keep viewers engaged is by using animated alerts. Whether it’s a new follower, donation, or subscription, alerts make your audience feel valued and recognized instantly.
Here at Great Overlays, we specialize in making professional animated alerts, overlays, and widgets that will elevate the aesthetics and feel of your stream to professional and interactive. In this guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of how to set up animated alerts in OBS Studio. You can apply them if you stream on Twitch, YouTube, or Kick, and you’ll learn to make your alerts a pro.
Why Animated Alerts Are Important for Streamers
- Viewer Engagement – Alerts make you feel noticed in the moment.
- Professional Branding – With Great Overlays animated alerts, your channel appears professional from day one.
- Channel Growth – Alerts encourage others to subscribe, follow, or donate.
- Personalization – Customize alerts to let your personality shine.
Step 1: Obtain Animated Alerts from Great Overlays
Step 1 is choosing your alert package. At Great Overlays, we offer:
- High-quality animated alerts for Twitch, YouTube, and Kick.
- Personalizable sounds and graphics to match your brand.
- Full overlay bundles so your panels, notifications, and transitions match.
You can use free ones on websites like StreamElements or Streamlabs, but if you need that professional look to get noticed and not blend in, Great Overlays is the way to go.
Step 2: Choose a Streaming Alert Tool
In order to add alerts to OBS Studio, you will need an external alert system. The most popular ones are:
- Great Overlays alert packages (OBS Studio can be tweaked).
- StreamElements (free web-based tool).
- Streamlabs (well-known one-stop-shop).
Pro Tip: For the ultimate smooth setup, pair your Great Overlays alert package with OBS Studio for business-grade results.
Step 3: Add Alerts to OBS Studio
Here’s the step-by-step install:
- Open OBS Studio → Go to Sources panel.
- Click on the “+” button → Browser Source.
- Name it (e.g., “Great Overlays Alerts”).
- Copy and paste the alert URL (provided by your alert tool).
- Adjust resolution (1920×1080 recommended).
- Test alerts to make sure they’re working.
Step 4: Personalize Your Alerts with Great Overlays
Time to customize your alerts now. With Great Overlays, you can:
- Customize animation styles (pop, fade, slide).
- Customize fonts, colors, and sizes.
- Add custom sounds as per your brand.
- Play with alert duration (5–8 seconds is ideal).
This ensures your alerts not only appear professional but also reflect your channel identity.
Step 5: Advanced Alert Features for Streamers
Once you’re all set, take your alerts to the next level:
- Multi-event alerts → Different styles for subs, donations, and raids.
- Custom GIF or video alerts → Bring in your own brand graphics.
- Dynamic widgets → Add in progress bars, sub targets, or hype trains.
- Integration with Stream Deck → Conveniently trigger alerts for thrilling moments.
And the best part? Great Overlays packages include advanced customization options so you don’t have to start from scratch.
Common Issues & Solutions
- Alerts not showing up in OBS → Ensure that your alert source is on top of your scene stack.
- Alert sounds not present → Check OBS sound settings and unmute browser source.
- Alerts too big → Resize browser source in OBS.
- Performance slow → Use optimized WEBM alert files from Great Overlays.
FAQ
Q1: Do I need Photoshop or After Effects to use Great Overlays alerts?
Nope. Our alerts are already pre-configured and easy to integrate in OBS Studio.
Q2: Can I use the same alert configurations on Twitch and YouTube?
Yes! Great Overlays alert packages include Twitch, YouTube, and Kick compatibility.
Q3: How do I test my alerts before I go live?
OBS Studio, StreamElements, and other software allow you to preview your alerts in real-time.
Q4: Are animated alerts slow on my stream?
Not if you optimize WEBM files, which all Great Overlays alerts are delivered in.
Q5: Can matching overlays with alerts be bought?
Yes! Great Overlays has complete streaming bundles—overlays, alerts, panels, and transitions—so your brand streams regularly.